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ducation in South Sumatra appears to remain a matter of concern, despite the implementation of the free education program launched by Governor Alex Noerdin three years ago.

“Based on data at the South Sumatra State Statistics Agency (BPS), the class participation rate (APS) in the province remains low, as almost half the number of senior high school-aged students are not attending school,” BPS social statistics division head Dyah Anugrah K. said in Palembang recently.

According to Dyah, the APS for senior high school students (between 16 and 18 years of age) stood at only 54.08 percent, adding that among the factors contributing to absenteeism are economic hardship and disproportionate education services in the province.

The APS for elementary school students (between seven and 12) is relatively high at 97.80 percent, and 84.64 percent for junior high school students aged between 13 and 15 years.

“Children in these age brackets should still be able to continue their studies, but many are not. Many senior high and even junior high school students immediately work after finishing school. They are more concerned with earning money than pursuing their studies,” Dyah said.

Based on BPS data, the average APS in each of the regions in South Sumatra inadequate, with the lowest attendance being in Musi Rawas municipality (34.29 percent), and the highest in Prabumulih (68.25 percent). The APS in the provincial capital Palembang is reportedly higher at 65.77 percent.

The overall literacy rate in South Sumatra is relatively high. The literacy rate of people between the ages of 15 and 24 is 99.92 percent, between 24-44 is 99.49 percent, and above 45 is 91.73 percent.

“Most people above these age brackets are already older and no longer need to learn how to read,” she said.

South Sumatra education expert Zulkifli Dahlan hailed a draft that would allow the government and relevant agencies to design a program to encourage school attendance by approaching the public.